In the hotly contested Ohio Senate race, U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, the Democratic
challenger, is on the up side of a 45 - 44 percent matchup with Republican incumbent
Sen. Mike DeWine among likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll
released today. Another 11 percent of voters are undecided.

Relatively few voters say their choice stems from the candidates' opposing
positions on the war in Iraq. More voters cite other issues as the reason why they support
a candidate. About one in five voters base their preference on Sen. DeWine's support for,
and Rep. Brown's criticism of, President George W. Bush.

"This race is very close and Sen. DeWine has a substantial opportunity to open up a
lead, since 30 percent of voters don't have a firm view of Rep. Brown while only 12
percent don't know much about the incumbent," said Peter Brown assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "But the challenger has an edge because his voters
say they are less likely to change their minds than are DeWine's supporters."

"It would be a reasonable assumption that both campaigns will do all they can to
fill in that picture for those voters who say they haven't heard enough about Brown to
form an opinion. Brace yourself for lots of television ads," Brown added.

Ohio voters give Brown a 31 - 14 percent favorability rating, with 23 percent
mixed and 30 percent who haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion.

DeWine gets a 35 - 22 percent favorability, with 29 percent mixed and 12 percent
who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Among independent voters, 62 percent say their view of Brown is either mixed or
they don't know enough about him to form an opinion, while 45 percent of independents
feel that way about DeWine.

"How well each candidate does with independent voters will likely decide the
election," said Brown.

The poor job approval ratings that Ohio gives President Bush, a negative 40 - 55
percent, and Gov. Robert Taft's negative 14 - 78 percent approval seem to be having
much less effect on DeWine's candidacy, which is retaining more typical Republican
constituencies than GOP gubernatorial nominee Ken Blackwell.

For instance, among white evangelical Christians, who make up 29 percent of the
likely electorate, DeWine holds a 63 - 27 percent lead, three times bigger than
Blackwell's lead among this group in the Governor's race.

From September 11 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 876 Ohio likely voters,
with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points. The survey includes 260 self-
described white evangelical Christians, with a margin of error of 6.1 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut,
Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

6. If the 2006 election for senator were being held today and the candidates
were Sherrod Brown the Democrat and Mike DeWine the Republican, for whom would
you vote?(If undecided q6) As of today, do you lean more toward Brown or DeWine?
This table includes Leaners.

6a. (If candidate choice q6) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might
change your mind before the election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
SB MD
Tot Voters Voters

Made up 77% 82% 73%
Might change 22 18 26
DK/NA 1 - 1

7. (If Brown supporter) What is the main reason you support Brown? Is it
because of -- A) his experience, B) his personal qualities, C) his stand on
the war in Iraq, D) his stand on issues other than the war in Iraq, or
E) because of his criticism of President Bush?

8. (If DeWine supporter) What is the main reason you support DeWine? Is it
because of -- A) his experience, B) his personal qualities, C) his stand on
the war in Iraq, D) his stand on issues other than the war in Iraq, or
E) because of his support for President Bush?